reviews

Thursday Night Snack : NBC's Hannibal
By Greg Cwik
May 2, 2013 - 10:45am
It seemed like a bad idea, but NBC's "Hannibal" might have given a boost to the network's Thursday night lineup.

NBC is in the doldrums. Last place, dwindling viewership, their flagship shows (30 Rock, The Office) expired or expiring, their best show (Community) on the down and out, their former funny man (Jay Leno) all but dissipated into irrelevancy. The sole bright spot in a lineup so riddled with blunders and banality is Jimmy Fallon, who was recently promised the mantle of The Tonight Show host, though we all remember how that turned out for Conan.

Review: Smash Season 2 Episode 10
By Xiaoran Ding
April 13, 2013 - 10:53pm
The guest star in "The Surprise Party" makes this disappointing episode watchable. Barely.

Once a character is single on Smash, a new character seems to immediately appear and fill the spot. When Eileen needs news coverage of Bombshell, Richard shows up, when Julia helps Scott with the Hit List story, Scott reveals his feeling for her, and after Ivy’s unpleasant surprising party, Derek comes to cheer her up.

This out-of-nowhere match is especially notable in Karen and Jimmy’s relationship. All of a sudden, Karen can’t help falling in love with this just-met, bad-tempered bartender who can’t communicate with anyone. It is all too predictable.

Adventure Time for Netflix
By Joseph DiDomizio
April 9, 2013 - 9:05pm
The streaming and in-home delivery service recently began hosting one of the most imaginative cartoons around.

The Cartoon Network has recently made a number of imaginative and action-packed shows available for streaming on Netflix. Amongst the shows being released are animated series like Batman Beyond and Justice League, as well as Adult Swim shows such as Metalocalypse and The Venture Brothers. The most exciting addition, however is the first season of the Emmy-nominated Adventure Time.

Review: Smash Season 2 Episode 9
By Xiaoran Ding
April 4, 2013 - 3:14pm
Despite guest stars and consistent music, inconsistent episodes like this one may have sunk this show.

In this week’s episode “Parents, we see the two most valuable parts of the show: music and special guests.

Review: Smash Season 2, Episode 8
By Xiaoran Ding
April 1, 2013 - 9:45am
A serviceable episode focuses on the struggling directors, and adds some depth to Tom's character.

After last week’s fugues and feuds, “The Bells and Whistles” is a well-balanced and solid episode mirroring the two musicals “Bombshell” and “Hit List.”

Tom, trying so hard to get rid of Derek’s shadow in “Bombshell,” invites every actor to give suggestions about their parts, which turn out to be overwhelming. Derek, on the other hand, arrogant and self-indulgent, is having disagreements with Jimmy on every decision.
Their dilemmas are built in their personalities: Tom being kind-hearted and supportive, and Derek being pushy and arrogant.

Review: Juniot Díaz's "This Is How You Lose Her"
By Lucia Camargo Rojas
March 28, 2013 - 2:36pm
In his latest publication, Díaz returns to a familiar character and once again explores loneliness with his trademark style and humor.

Junot Díaz’s latest book explores the loneliness that comes after losing a beloved person. Yunior, the author’s well-known character in Drown and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, returns in This is How You Lose Her. His girlfriend has broken up with him after she discovers he was unfaithful to her. He makes efforts to keep her, but every attempt is a failure, and he knows it.

Review: Smash Season 2 Episode 7
By Xiaoran Ding
March 21, 2013 - 11:12am
The show goes back to its old, messy, uneven tricks, after a promising respite last episode.

Just when we think “Smash” is headed in the right way, it turns onto a bumpy road. Last week, showcasing conflict in the creative process with an amazing makeover of an old number, and Tom replacing Derek as “Bombshell” director, for once in this season the audience could look forward to a better show. This week, “Smash” shattered that hope with “Musical Chairs” an at best, uneven episode.

What “Smash” after this episode? “Glee.”

Review: Smash Season 2 Episode 6
By Xiaoran Ding
March 21, 2013 - 10:49am
A solid episode presents some solid changes to the playing field of "Smash."

“Smash” gives us a brilliant song and some cast turnover in one of the better episodes of the season. For those who have been watching it from the very first episode, “The Fringe” reproduces the fresh and energetic feeling that originally drew them into the show.

Review: Smash Season 2, Episode 5
By Xiaoran Ding
March 14, 2013 - 9:46pm
The spotlight shines on Ivy in "The Read-Through" but that just lets the disappointing changes in her character.

Ivy’s part has been largely weakened this season. Partially it is because she is no longer in Bombshell, acting as Karen’s competition as she did in last season. Her character used to be a perky, rash young girl, and has now become a considerate and wizened lady who gives incisive advice. “The Read-Through” grants viewers some time with her and new guest star Sean Hayes, as they prepare for another show, Liaisons.

Review: Smash Season 2, Episode 4
By Xiaoran Ding
February 28, 2013 - 3:42pm
"The Song" continues the predictability and frustration of watching the second season.

“The Song” is literally about the composing of a song. The metaphor of finding one’s own song isn’t lost on the characters or the show itself, as it struggles to find a balance between character stories and stories about producing a show.